Method of treating the oral cavity with dental floss containing chemotherapeutic agents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of treating the oral cavity with a surfactant, silicone, and chemotherapeutic agent containing preparation released from dental floss to alter local microbial ecology including: plaque formation, gingivitis and S. mutans count.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treating the oral cavity to alter local microbial ecology including: plaque formation, gingivitis and S. mutans count comprising treating the oral cavity with an interproximal delivery system comprising: a) dental floss having from between two and 12 strands, each containing between about 1000 and 800 filaments with a denier between 300 and about 1200, and   b) a cleaning preparation at from between 5 and about 100% by weight of said strands, wherein: i. said filaments are substantially free from wax, sizing and binding agents;   ii. said interproximal delivery system splays upon being worked between interproximal surfaces;   iii. said interproximal delivery system release from between about 10 and about 80% by weight of said cleaning preparation upon splaying; and   iv. said cleaning preparation; a) is loaded into said delivery system as a substantially aqueous free, hot-melt emulsion,   b) is contained throughout the interproximal delivery system, primarily in the area surrounding said filaments with less than about 5% by weight of said cleaning preparation on the outermost surface of said delivery system, and   c) can contain up to about 50% by weight of an active chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of: antimicrobials, antibiotics, antioxidants, desensitizers, and anti-tartar agents;     wherein the cleaning preparation comprises: a. a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl sulfate,   sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,   polyethylene glycol stearate,   polyethylene glycol monostearate,   coconut monoglyceride sulfonates,   sodium alkyl sulfate,   sodium alkyl sulfoacetates,   block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxybutylene,   allylpolyglycol ether carboxylates,   polyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters,   propoxylated cetyl alcohol,   block copolymers comprising a cogeneric mixture of conjugated polyoxybutylene and polyoxylethylene compound having as a hydrophobe a polyoxybutylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular weight,   soap powder,       and mixtures thereof, and b. a coating substance insoluble in said surfactant selected from the group consisting of: silicones,   silicone glycol copolymers, and polydimethylsiloxane.         
     
     
       2. A method of releasing interproximally, supragingivally and subgingivally a chemotherapeutic preparation from a dental floss containing an ingestible, oral hygiene cleaning preparation comprising: a. a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl sulfate,   sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,   polyethylene glycol stearate,   polyethylene glycol monostearate,   coconut monoglyceride sulfonates,   sodium alkyl sulfate,   sodium alkyl sulfoacetates,   block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxybutylene,   allylpolyglycol ether carboxylates,   polyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters,   propoxylated cetyl alcohol,   block copolymers comprising a cogeneric mixture of conjugated polyoxybutylene and polyoxylethylene compound having as a hydrophobe a polyoxybutylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular weight,   soap powder,     and mixtures thereof; and   b. a coating substance insoluble in said surfactant selected from the group consisting of: silicones,   silicone glycol copolymers,   polydimethyl siloxane, and     c. a chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of antimicrobials, antibiotics, antioxidants, desensitizers and anti-tartar agents, at a concentration from between about 0.5% and about 3.0% by weight of said preparation;   wherein said dental floss is substantially free of sizing, binders, and/or wax, and the additives thereon are loaded from a substantially aqueous-free hot melt emulsion;   and wherein said dental floss is loaded with an amount of readily saliva solubilized surfactant effective to produce a detersive effect in the interproximal region during flowing, said detersive effect being optimized by the conjoint use of the coating substance in the surfactant to avoid foaming, said combination of coating substance and surfactant, when presented interproximally, producing surface active properties effective to assist cleaning of debris and plaque from the interproximal sites, to condition teeth and gums, to alter the surface tension of the plaque as well as disrupt plaque reattachment.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein the floss further contains a powder substance separate from said preparation selected from the group consisting of abrasives, gums, viscosity control agents, polyols and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning preparation is loaded into the floss at a rate between about 20 and about 50 mg/yd and wherein said preparation releases at a rate between about 30% and about 70% by weight of the load. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning preparation is loaded into the floss at a rate between about 10 mg/yd and about 100 mg/yd. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning preparation contains an abrasive selected from the group consisting of silica, calcium carbonate, talc, dicalcium phosphate and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning preparation contains a desensitizer. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning preparation contains an anti-oxidant. 
     
     
       9. A method of treating dental fillings including interproximal restorations, which comprises flossing with a dental floss containing an ingestible, oral hygiene cleaning preparation containing an active chemotherapeutic agent, said cleaning preparation comprising: a. a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl sulfate,   sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,   polyethylene glycol stearate,   polyethylene glycol monostearate,   coconut monoglyceride sulfonates,   sodium alkyl sulfate,   sodium alkyl sulfoacetates,   block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxybutylene,   allylpolyglycol ether carboxylates,   polyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters,   propoxylated cetyl alcohol,   block copolymers comprising a cogeneric mixture of conjugated polyoxybutylene and polyoxylethylene compound having as a hydrophobe a polyoxybutylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular weight,   soap powder,     and mixtures thereof; and   b. a coating substance insoluble in said surfactant selected from the group consisting of: silicones,   silicones glycol copolymers,   polydimethyl siloxane, and     c. an active chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of tetracycline, chlorhexidine, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone iodine complex (PVPI), at a concentration from between about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of said preparation;   wherein said dental floss is substantially free of sizing, binders, and/or wax, and the additives thereon are loaded from a substantially aqueous-free hot melt emulsion;   and wherein said dental floss is loaded with an amount of readily saliva solubilized surfactant effective to produce a detersive effect in the interproximal region during flossing, said detersive effect being optimized by the conjoint use of the coating substance in the surfactant to avoid foaming, said combination of coating substance and surfactant, when presented interproximally, producing surface active properties effective to assist cleaning of debris and plaque from the interproximal sites, to condition teeth and gums, to alter the surface tension of the plaque as well as disrupt plaque reattachment.   
     
     
       10. A method of treating caries in radiotherapy patients comprising flossing with a dental floss containing an ingestible, oral hygiene cleaning preparation containing an active chemotherapeutic agent, said cleaning preparation comprising: a. a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl sulfate,   sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,   polyethylene glycol stearate,   polyethylene glycol monostearate,   coconut monoglyceride sulfonates,   sodium alkyl sulfate,   sodium alkyl sulfoacetates,   block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxybutylene,   allylpolyglycol ether carboxylates,   polyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters,   propoxylated cetyl alcohol,   block copolymers comprising a cogeneric mixture of conjugated polyoxybutylene and polyoxylethylene compound having as a hydrophobe a polyoxybutylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular weight,   soap powder,     and mixtures thereof; and   b. a coating substance in soluble in said surfactant selected from the group consisting of: silicones,   silicone glycol copolymers,   polydimethyl siloxane, and     c. an active chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of tetracycline, chlorhexidine, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone iodine complex (PVPI), at a concentration from between about 0.55 to about 10.0% by weight of said preparation;   wherein said dental floss is substantially free of sizing, binders, and/or wax, and the additives thereon are loaded from a substantially aqueous-free hot melt emulsion;   and wherein said dental floss is loaded with an amount of readily saliva solubilized surfactant effective to produce a detersive effect in the interproximal region during flossing said detersive effect being optimized by the conjoint use of the coating substance in the surfactant to avoid foaming, said combination of coating substance and surfactant, when presented interproximally, producing surface active properties effective to assist cleaning of debris and plaque from the interproximal sites, to condition teeth and gums, to alter the surface tension of the plaque as well as disrupt plaque reattachment.   
     
     
       11. A method of treating periodontitis comprising flossing with a dental floss containing an ingestible, oral hygiene cleaning preparation containing an active chemotherapeutic agent, said cleaning preparation comprising: a. a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl sulfate,   sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,   polyethylene glycol stearate,   polyethylene glycol monostearate,   coconut monoglyceride sulfonates,   sodium alkyl sulfate,   sodium alkyl sulfoacetates,   block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxybutylene,   allylpolyglycol ether carboxylates,   polyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters,   propoxylated cetyl alcohol,   block copolymers comprising a cogeneric mixture of conjugated polyoxybutylene and polyoxyethylene compound having as a hydrophobe a polyoxybutylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular weight,   soap powder,     and mixtures thereof; and   b. a coating substance insoluble in said surfactant selected from the group consisting of: silicones;   silicone glycol copolymers,   polydimethyl siloxane, and     c. an active chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of tetracycline, chlorhexidine, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone iodine complex (PVPI), at a concentration from between about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of said preparation;   wherein said dental floss is substantially free of sizing, binders, and/or wax, and the additives thereon are loaded from a substantially aqueous-free hot melt emulsion;   and wherein said dental floss is loaded with an amount of readily saliva solubilized surfactant effective to produce a detersive effect in the interproximal region during flossing, said detersive effect being optimized by the conjoint use of the coating substance in the surfactant to avoid foaming, said combination of coating substance and surfactant, when presented interproximally, producing surface active properties effective to assist cleaning of debris and plaque from the interproximal sites, to condition teeth and gums, to alter the surface tension of the plaque as well as disrupt plaque reattachment.   
     
     
       12. A method of pretreating oral surgery patients comprising flossing prior to surgery with a dental floss containing an ingestible, oral hygiene cleaning preparation containing an active chemotherapeutic agent, said cleaning preparation comprising: a. a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl sulfate,   sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,   polyethylene glycol stearate,   polyethylene glycol monostearate,   coconut monoglyceride sulfonates,   sodium alkyl sulfate,   sodium allyl sulfoacetates,   block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxybutylene,   allylpolyglycol ether carboxylates,   polyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters,   propoxylated cetyl alcohol,   block copolymers comprising a cogeneric mixture of conjugated polyoxybutylene and polyoxylethylene compound having as a hydrophobe a polyoxybutylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular weight,   soap powder,     and mixtures thereof; and   b. a coating substance insoluble in said surfactant selected from the group consisting of: silicones,   silicone glycol copolymers,   polydimethyl siloxane, and     c. an active chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of tetracycline, chlorhexidine, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone iodine complex (PVPI), at a concentration from between about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of said preparation;   wherein said dental floss is substantially free of sizing, binders, and/or wax, and the additives thereon are loaded from a substantially aqueous-free hot melt emulsion;   and wherein said dental floss is loaded with an amount of readily saliva solubilized surfactant effective to produce a detersive effect in the interproximal region during flossing, said detersive effect being optimized by the conjoint use of the coating substance in the surfactant to avoid foaming, said combination of coating substance and surfactant, when presented interproximally, producing surface active properties effective to assist cleaning of debris and plaque from the interproximal sites, to condition teeth and gums, to alter the surface tension of the plaque as well as disrupt plaque reattachment.   
     
     
       13. A method of post-treating oral surgery patients comprising flossing after surgery with a dental floss containing an ingestible, oral hygiene cleaning preparation containing an active chemotherapeutic agent, said cleaning preparation comprising: a. a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl sulfate,   sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,   polyethylene glycol stearate,   polyethylene glycol monostearate,   coconut monoglyceride sulfonates,   sodium alkyl sulfate,   sodium alkyl sulfoacetates,   block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxybutylene,   allylpolyglycol ether carboxylates,   polyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters,   propoxylated cetyl alcohol,   block copolymers comprising a cogeneric mixture of conjugated polyoxybutylene and polyoxylethylene compound having as a hydrophobe a polyoxybutylene polymer of at least 1200 molecular weight,   soap powder,     and mixtures thereof; and   b. a coating substance insoluble in said surfactant selected from the group consisting of: silicones,   silicone glycol copolymers,   polydimethyl siloxane, and     c. an active chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of tetracycline, chlorhexidine, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone iodine complex (PVPI), at a concentration from between about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of said preparation;   wherein said dental floss is substantially free of sizing, binders, and/or wax, and the additives thereon are loaded from a substantially aqueous-free hot melt emulsion;   and wherein said dental floss is loaded with an amount of readily saliva solubilized surfactant effective to produce a detersive effect in the interproximal region during flossing, said detersive effect being optimized by the conjoint use of the coating substance in the surfactant to avoid foaming, said combination of coating substance and surfactant, when presented interproximally, producing surface active properties effective to assist cleaning of debris and plaque from the interproximal sites, to condition teeth and gums, to alter the surface tension of the plaque as well as disrupt plaque reattachment.